First cargo train from Russia arrives at Aprin in boost to INSTC corridor
Iran received the first block train from Russia at the Aprin dry port near Tehran on Saturday, a development officials said could strengthen trade ties with Moscow and expand regular rail traffic linking Iran, Russia and Central Asian neighbors.
The train, carrying 62 forty-foot containers of paper, pulp and related products destined for customers in Iran and Iraq, began its journey about 900 km north of Moscow. It crossed Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan before entering Iran through the Incheh-Burun border crossing, reaching Aprin in 12 days, IRNA reported.
Oleg Polyev, CEO of the Russian Railway Logistics told the inauguration ceremony that the arrival marked the start of a new freight route, saying, "We will make every effort to expand it."
He said Aprin terminal sits at a key junction of transport corridors and could play “a promising role” in future trade flows.
Polyev recalled that in 2002, the first Moscow-Bandar Abbas train required far more time and higher costs. “Today, thanks to efforts by companies and authorities in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Iran, the route has been reduced to 15 days and costs have been cut in half,” he said.
Iranian officials said the new service supports growth of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), designed to connect Russia to the Persian Gulf and South Asia.
Emerging logistics hub
Morteza Jafari, deputy head for commerce and operations at Iran’s state railway, said Aprin could become a major regional logistics hub.
"Aprin is a very important point and can turn into a regional transport center. We hope to achieve this with private sector capacity," he said.
Jafari said development of the north-south corridor has accelerated since 2022, noting that early trains on the route faced long delays and high tariffs that discouraged shippers. "Now, on average, one train runs every 10 days," he said.
He added that the train reaching Aprin on Saturday covered the 6,500-km distance in about 10 days, compared to roughly 15 days to reach Bandar Abbas via southern Iran, while alternative maritime routes can take 45 days.
New investment agreements ahead
Jafari said several new investment agreements at Aprin dry port will be signed within the next month, with a goal of reaching the capacity to receive one train per day by year-end.
He told IRNA on the sidelines of the ceremony that since the first train from China arrived at Aprin in June, 30 trains have entered the facility.
"We are coordinating to expand these services, and where rail access is not available, cargo will be moved by truck," he said, adding that Iran is working with neighboring Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and regional states to position itself as a hub for exports, imports and transit.